Democratic Congress moves to challenge Iran war funding

With at least 54 Senate seats and 228 House seats, Democratic aides say lawmakers can block nominees, delay the National Defense Authorization Act and negotiate down the $87.6 billion supplemental request for war costs. Senator Chris Murphy has proposed barring funds for the Iran war in the defense bill, while incoming Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Democrats will use the power of the purse. Republicans may counter that the moves leave the military unfunded.

Democrats also are likely to use committee subpoena power to press Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and other officials on the war, and to investigate the Trump family’s business ties with the Arab states of the Persian Gulf, including Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners, Al-Monitor reported. Representative Adam Smith, in line to chair the House Armed Services Committee, wrote that he would restore an oversight subcommittee with the “illegal war with Iran” high on its agenda. Some Democrats are also pressing to review or condition military aid to Israel, though that debate remains contested within the party. Democrats remain divided over whether to pursue impeachment of Hegseth or first complete committee investigations.